By Cam Lucadou-Wells
There’s a simple solution to the recycling crisis that’s gripping Australian councils, according to a leading sustainability campaigner.
Tamara DiMattina, whose The New Joneses’ Tiny House has set up digs at Bunjil Place, says people should just put less in their bins.
“Buy nothing in a packet,” she says.
“Recycling has to be the last thing we’re doing. First thing is cutting down the waste.”
At the supermarket, stop buying fruit and vegetables wrapped in unnecessary plastic.
Bring recycled bags, have a coffee to-stay not take-away, get rid of drinking straws – Ms DiMattina adds.
“There are so many ways to eliminate waste in the first place.”
The New Jonses’ founder, with Casey mayor Geoff Ablett and councillors Amanda Stapledon and Rex Flannery, launched a sustainable pop-up house at Bunjil on 26 April.
The house is economical on space – such as a bed that folds up into the wall – and long on tips on energy-saving, eco-friendly products and waste reduction.
Cr Ablett said the house was a “fun and interactive” way to teach families and young children how to make a “smaller footprint on the planet”.
He said the council had recently introduced electric vehicles to its fleet, uses recycled crushed concrete in roadworks and offers rebates on compost bins and worm farms.
“We purchase park furniture that is made from recycled plastics, ‘closing the loop’ with our regular recycling service.”
The New Joneses is open free at Bunjil Place until Sunday 6 May.
